Help with a 302 small block (I was referred to you guys)

I know is a big block forum, but someone on another forum said to come here with my question. Hopefully you guys can help.

I received a "1993" Ford 302 today which turned out to be a 1987 engine code: E7TE. After tearing it down to check out the cylinders I noticed it has flat top pistons and inset heads. My guess is that this was the first year for multiport injection and throttle body and as a way to increase compression they used the flat pistons with these bastard heads.

My plan is to run GT40P heads on a 302, but I'm almost positive that with these pistons I wont be able to due to valve clearance issues. Its as if these pistons and only work with these heads.

Also, the head gaskets were replaced and the previous owner snapped the heads off of two head bolts on the outside (not under the valve cover). I'm wondering if the deck is out of shape now on that side. Who knows without truely measuring.

I have another 1985 302 with normal pistons too. Only problem is that all of the cam bearings are bad. The cam only came out with a slide hammer. The lifters had to be tapped thru the bottom and the valves had to be tapped out with a punch. I could rebuild this engine and it should be good to go, but the 1987 engine is in much much better shape.

I guess what I'm looking for is some insight on this 1987 engine with the flat top pistons (is this the only year? reasoning? etc..), especially with them matching up to GT40P heads. Also, do you guys think the deck could have warped at all? Any and all information would help if anyone has knowledge of this particular year.

Here are some pictures of my situation.







And the GT40P heads incase you dont know what they look like or forgot. You can just see the clearance issues it will have.




According to the code breakdown, the 1987 engine is out of a truck (F150) and the 1985 engine was out of a full size car.

Do you think my best bet would be to just re-ring the 1985 pistons and put the pistons into the 1987 block, as long as the cylinders dont need to be bored? Heres a couple pictures of the 1985 engine. (budget build is key here)




I know this post is sort of all over the place and I apologize. Im just lost as to how I'm going to throw this together at the moment. I need to take some measurements yet, but I'm just seeing if you guys already know some answers.

Thanks

I would mic everything and change the pistons. If clearence works out good.

ok just from looking at this pick, it almost appears this would be a 86 block. the E7 numbers are pretty generic on most ford roller 5.0 blocks. I would personally rebuild this block and replace the pistons. you can get some really inexpensive kits to rebuild a 5.0 including stroker kits for the cost of refreshing the stock stuff.

now if you do decide to re ring your engine the gt40 heads will work as long as you keep the stock cam with those pistons unless you have reliefs cut in the pistons.

as far as swapping pistons,while it has been done as long as they are in good shape it can be done, but I personally wouldn't do it.

here is a great source for stroker kits and Woody is a great guy to do buisness with. http://www.fordstrokers.com/


I am sure some of the vendors on here could be of great help on here as well with the needed parts such as Lem,Adney and Randy Malik just to name a few.

Those are the same pistons in my 86 shortblock from a lincoln lsc i'm building. And yes those pistons are like that to bump up compression because they used 69cc heads.

the gt40p heads are suppose to be better than the regular gt40.just make sure you get the exaust manafolds to go with the gt40p heads.the exaust manifold from the 87 model heads wont work because the sparkplug was moved on the P heads.i am not sure if the intake from the 93 efi motor is different than the P head intake system.the 87 model heads were used up to the 93 model motors from what i was told.a side note you will find these same heads on the 351 motors but they have larger bolt holes were they bolt to the block.

the newer model block should be a roller block that had factory roller lifters.i think i see in the picture the 2 screw holes i the center of the block that holds the roller lifter tray.

i am working on putting together a 355 stroker motor to go in my f150 i need moor tork to pull my trailer.

scrap small block.....buy 460. Problem solved.

IcallhimGeorge wrote:scrap small block.....buy 460. Problem solved.

There ya go!!!

Bill

The lifter bore is the same and the p heads need a diffrent exhaust because they moved the spark plug location not the port.

Spark plugs are angled towards the intake valve, not moved (well sorta). If youve got a die grinder and a couple oldish porting cutters you can modd your exhaust manifolds to work like so:



If you're using headers you'll need to shave down the mounting flange and make a custom spark plug wrench as well as 90* turn plug wires so that everything fits.

Thanks everyone for the info. After all of this I decided to rebuild the original engine I bought awhile ago. As for making sure the headers fit on the GT40P heads, I went to make sure. The headers were built on the original heads so I needed to make sure....but I wont have any fitment issues as the pictures show.

I would like a big block, but the car is already mocked up for the 302, plus I just fully rebuilt a T-5 tranny.

Now for the pictures..

Lookin good

definatly one sweet ride. good luck with the build.

Very nice build ya got goin, Keep us posted on your progress,